Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Tarxien Rainbows 2
Darlington 44, 60;

Mathematical calculations are commonplace in football at this time of the season and before the weekend kick-offs all teams at the bottom of the standings were making their own projections according to the law of simple arithmetic.

Following their victory yesterday, Tarxien survived to live another day as they condemned Żebbuġ Rangers and Pietà Hotspurs to a quick return to Division One next season. Clive Mizzi’s team have now joined Mosta in ninth place but they’re still in danger of playing the relegation play-off later this month.

Rangers knew they had to win this match to maintain their slim hopes alive but after Obinna Darglinton put Tarxien ahead, the task became an uphill struggle for them as the Rainbows were comfortably in control.

The absence of defender Kane Farrugia, suspended, and Ishmael Grech, injured, left coach Mizzi with no option but to reshuffle his back four as Matthew Tabone partnered Manuel Bonaque Acevedo in central defence, Alexander Cini manned the right flank and Jose Godar Pereira played left-back.

Żebbuġ’s initial formation showed three changes, Manuel Bartolo being preferred to Jeffrey Farrugia in goal, Carlo Monti taking the place of Thomas Paris as Matthew Gauci replaced Paltemio Barbetti, suspended.

The early exchanges were bereft of constructive football as the two sides struggled to find their passing range.

Tarxien enjoyed a distinct edge, possession-wise, but their efforts were undone by the poor show in attack. Past the half hour mark, Soly Mouhamed exchanged passes with Darlington before hitting a curling drive that was pushed away by Bartolo.

The hitherto subdued Rangers almost stunned Tarxien five minutes from half-time as Monti unleashed a powerful rising shot that crashed against the underside of the crossbar and dropped on the goal-line.

Tarxien’s relief was palpable and, in their next serious foray, they struck.

On 44 minutes, Firas Aboulezz delivered a perfect cross from a corner which was met by Darlington whose tap-in gave Bartolo no chance.

Żebbuġ raised their game after the break. Monti’s delivery from a corner reached Yessous Camilleri who used his height to meet the ball. However, his effort went just wide off the far post.

On the hour mark, the score changed but it was Tarxien who extended their lead.

It was a freak goal as Edu Vallecillo slipped as he planted his standing foot with the result that instead of hitting a shot, the ball rolled into the path of Darlington who scored.

A few moments later, Aboulezz almost crowned his fine performance with a goal but was denied by Bartolo who palmed over the bar his attempt.

With the verdict beyond redemption, Żebbuġ relied on the skills of Monti to try and restore some pride.

In the dying minutes, Monti did manage to power his way into the Tarxien penalty area but his effort was repelled by Mintoff.

Żebbuġ Rangers
M. Bartolo-6, Y. Camilleri-6.5, M. Gauci-5.5, D. Reano (20 L. Galea-5), M. Bartolo-6, M. Muchardi-5, K. Zammit-5, C. Monti-6, M. Britto-5.5, R. Yussuff-4.5, L. Montebello-6 (65 M. Ciantar-4).

Tarxien Rainbows
S. Mintoff-6, M. Caruana-6 (80 S. Sadowski), T. Caruana-6, F. Aboulezz-7.5, E. Vallecillo-6, J. Pereira-6, A. Cini-5, M. Tabone-6, S. Mouhamed-5.5, O. Darlington-7 (88 N. Vella), M. Acevedo-6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Muchardi, Galea.

BOV player of the match: Obinna Darlington (Tarxien Rainbows).

Standings

  P W D L F A Pts
Hibs 31 26 4 1 94 23 52
Valletta 32 22 3 7 73 27 47
Birkirkara 31 19 6 6 59 30 42
Balzan 32 16 8 8 58 45 39
Floriana 31 12 10 9 53 48 32
Sliema  32 10 9 13 49 53 26
Naxxar 32 8 9 15 38 50 22
Qormi 32 7 9 16 37 54 21
Mosta 31 9 5 17 35 68 20
Tarxien 32 7 9 16 32 59 20
Pietà H. 32 6 8 18 29 55 16
Żebbuġ  32 5 6 21 36 81 12

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.